Houston Stiletto-Heel Stabbing Suspect Claims Self-Defense

A Houston woman charged with murder for stabbing a University of Houston professor to death with a stiletto heel said she acted in self-defense.

Ana Trujillo, a former massage therapist, admitted to stabbing her boyfriend, Alf Stefan Andersson, because he grabbed her before an ensuing struggle, officials said.

Trujillo, 44, was arrested and charged this weekend when police found Andersson with multiple stab wounds to the head lying on the floor of an apartment early Sunday morning, Houston police said in a news release.

Trujillo and Andersson went to an unidentified club Saturday evening and had a few drinks, Harris County District Attorney spokeswoman Sara Kinney told ABC News today. Trujillo said Andersson became jealous when another man approached her to buy a drink, and the couple left the venue, Kinney added.

Kinney said Trujillo and Andersson argued on the way home. Trujillo told Andersson she wanted to leave Houston to go visit her daughter in Waco, Texas, Kinney said.

Police got a call about an assault-in-progress at the apartment on the 18th floor of The Parklane building in Houston at about 3:50 a.m. Sunday. When they arrived, Trujillo answered the door and investigators saw Andersson lying on the floor of the residence, according to the release, which was issued before Andersson was publicly identified.

A prosecutor read the details of the stiletto stabbing before a Harris County District Court judge Monday night.

Trujillo was covered in blood when she answered the door of the apartment for investigators, who found Andersson lying face up with a stiletto heel by his head, officials said.

It is unclear whether Trujillo was living with Andersson at the apartment at the time of the stabbing, Kinney said.

A woman who answered the phone at The Parklane leasing office declined to comment.

Jim Caroll, who used to manage the hotel where Trujillo once lived, told KTRK-TV he was not surprised to learn of her weapon choice.

"She's a strong woman," Caroll said. "Twice, she told me that if anybody ever messed with her -- she pulled her shoe off and said, 'I'll get them with this.' It was a big stiletto heel."

Andersson, 59, worked as a research professor at the University of Houston Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling since 2009. His focus was on women's reproductive health, the University of Houston said in a statement.

"The University of Houston community is saddened to learn of the tragic death of Professor Stefan Andersson. Our hearts go out to his colleagues, family and friends during this difficult time," the university said Monday.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene, the news release said. Trujillo was detained for questioning and subsequently charged with using the spindly heel to kill him.

The release makes no mention of whether police believe Trujillo was wearing or holding the shoe during the alleged murder.

Trujillo is being held on $100,000 bond.

The county district attorney's office is handling the case and attempting to figure out exactly what happened the night of the fatal stabbing, D.A. spokeswoman Kinney said.

Trujillo appeared in Harris County District Court this morning for a preliminary court appearance. ABC News has been unable to reach Trujillo. Her attorney, Lott Brooks, has not responded to requests for comment.

Trujillo is due back in court to be arraigned July 18, according to Harris County District Court records.